Man charged with stealing life savings from woman with dementia

TACOMA, Wash. — Thirty-four-year-old Dayton Dixon was charged with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from elderly victims for landscaping services he never delivered.

An 88-year-old Tacoma woman lost her life's savings writing checks to Dixon.

"I feel terrible. I mean, who should do that, for heaven's sake?" she said.

Her son discovered the problem when he saw that she had only a dollar left in her savings account. She had written $50,000 in checks to Dixon.

Dixon was charged with six counts of theft in the first degree and three counts of theft in the second degree, for stealing more than $57,000 from the 88-year-old woman and a 73-year-oldwoman.

"Our new Elder Abuse team aggressively prosecutes those who exploit some of our most vulnerable victims," said prosecutor Mark Lindquist.

Prosecutors said the other victim, a 73-year-old woman, hired Dixon to "fix her yard" for $17,000. She told police she was afraid of Dixon at first but gave him a deposit of $8,500. She said that Dixon cashed the check but never came back to do the work.

KIRO 7 went to Dixon's house in Spanaway, but his wife said he was not home.

Neighbors said they were surprised to hear about the allegations.

"I'd never suspect him and when I talk to him, he's always a very happy-go-lucky guy," said Ralph Cantrell.

Dixon is being held at the Pierce County Jail on $50,000 bail.

"He doesn't deserve to be out, really. That's what I feel about it," said the 88-year-old victim.

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